"Many have investigated his background, but all returned empty-handed. Yet, it seems impossible for him to rise step by step from obscurity to his current status."

"You must be careful!"

"He might not have broken through to the Realm of No Leakage, but he surely possesses means no less than those of a Martial Arts Grandmaster."

"Martial Arts Grandmaster..." The woman’s voice was charming:

"So what?"

"Indeed." A voice echoed from the copper mirror:

"Even against a Martial Arts Grandmaster, you have a seventy percent chance of success. However, it’s always wise to be cautious."

"By the way!"

"It has been confirmed that the Nie Family holds those two items, and the Sect Leader is on his way."

"Oh!" The woman’s beautiful eyes brightened:

"Even the Sect Leader is making a move?"

"Yes," the voice said:

"Great chaos is imminent; each Immortal Sect has dispatched their disciples to the world to seek breakthroughs."

"Masters and Rogue Immortals will eventually join in."

"Acting early could secure the initiative."

The woman shook her head gently.

Acting early would indeed can secure an advantage, but it also easily makes one a target, and the outcome is unpredictable. This doesn’t align with the sect’s principles either.

However...

The Sect Leader possesses the ability to penetrate the mysteries of the heavens, and his wisdom is boundless. He undoubtedly understands this reasoning. Since he is willing to make an early move, he must have his reasons.

"I understand."

The woman bowed her head:

"Capturing Fang Zheng would be much easier with the support of thousands of private soldiers in Gu’an County."

"Hmm." Ripples danced across the copper mirror:

"Be careful. If things cannot be done, leave quickly and seek another way."

.....

By the time Fang Zheng arrived, Qian Buyu had been waiting for quite some time, accompanied by the host of Cien Temple.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Yuanxing clasped his hands together:

"Donor Fang, I hope you have been well since we last met."

"It’s been several months, Master Yuanxing. Your Buddha’s light is indeed radiant, and your breath harmonious. Your cultivation base has made further progress," Fang Zheng gazed at him, eyes filled with surprise:

"That is cause for celebration!"

"Donor Fang’s keen eye." Yuanxing chuckled and said:

"A little over a month ago, this humble monk killed an exotic beast in the mountains and had some gains after consuming its inner core."

"Such luck!"

Fang Zheng sighed softly.

Yuanxing’s luck was enviable, having turned calamities into blessings multiple times. His cultivation base now reached the Peak of Perfection.

In three to five years, he is likely to reach the realm of Martial Dao Grandmaster.

Yes,

Which is the Buddhist Bodhisattva Fruit Position.

The times have changed!

Once upon a time, Gu’an County couldn’t produce even one person at the Realm of No Leakage for decades, and now even the Martial Sect has appeared.

"Brother Qian."

"Hero Fang."

They greeted each other, as Fang Zheng glanced around:

"Where is the buyer?"

"Please follow me, Hero Fang." Qian Buyu gestured back with a hand:

"The person is waiting in the backyard."

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.

In his perception, the backyard was empty, yet the buyer could evade his detection?

Entering the backyard,

three women appeared in sight.

A noblewoman and her two maids, the woman in the center wore luxurious attire, her demeanor dignified, her beauty stunning, and her actions displayed the noble family style.

The woman curtsied:

"Zhao Xuejun of the Zhao Family, greetings to Elder Fang."

"The Zhao Family?"

Fang Zheng’s eyes showed a slight change:

"Is it the Zhao Family of the former imperial family?"

"Exactly!"

"’Xue,’ bright as snowfall; Zhao Zhengyuan, how are you related to him?"

"He is my grandfather," Zhao Xuejun appeared surprised:

"Elder Fang knows someone from the Zhao Family?"

"No," Fang Zheng shook his head:

"I’ve only heard a bit."

Zhao Xuejun’s beautiful eyes flickered, clearly carrying a trace of disbelief.

Although the Zhao Family is one of the Eight Great Families, they act low-key due to being remnants of the former imperial family.

Few people are aware of the Zhao Family’s circumstances.

Especially,

since Fang Zheng is just a merchant from Gu’an County, he should have little chance of mingling with the Zhao Family.

"These details are unimportant."

With a wave of his hand, Fang Zheng spoke:

"Where is the item?"

"Here it is."

Zhao Xuejun suppressed her distracting thoughts and turned her delicate hand, presenting an exquisite jade box:

"Elder, please have a look."

"This item is called the Soul-Locking Clasp, refined with the skeleton of an exotic beast and Celestial Profound Sorcery Energy."

"Once activated, it can form a Skeleton Ring that withstands attacks from magical treasures, and it can attack or defend by enclosing a person."

With that, she opened the jade box.

Inside was a bone sphere the size of an infant’s fist, hollow inside, wrapped with Pure Yin Energy.

"Elder,"

Zhao Xuejun continued:

"Allow me to demonstrate briefly."

"Alright," Fang Zheng nodded, curiosity on his face:

"Please."

Zhao Xuejun smiled gracefully, snapped her fingers lightly, and the bone sphere inside the box flew out, suddenly expanding to enclose her.

In an instant,

all of her aura vanished.

With her finger technique, the bone sphere flew up again, crashing into a rock over ten feet away.

"Boom!"

The rock shattered with power akin to an explosion.

"Swish!"

The bone sphere returned, and just as Fang Zheng was about to clap, a cold light emerged and aimed at his throat.

Hmm?

His expression changed, and he was about to flick his fingers.

"Swish!"

Suddenly,

The Soul-Locking Clasp enlarged abruptly, enclosing him within as if chains of boundless numbers restrained his body.

Instantly, flesh, bones, even his True Qi internally, and Divine Thought in the Sea of Consciousness, were all restrained by invisible power.

Forget about moving,

even his thoughts couldn’t turn.

"Not good!"

"Assassin!"

"..."

The sudden change caused Yuanxing and Qian Buyu’s faces to change drastically as they hurried to act, but clearly, they were already too late.

Zhao Xuejun’s eyes revealed an eerie cold light, and a bright gleam emerged from her beautiful eyes, piercing towards Fang Zheng like a sharp needle.

The Soul-Stunning Needle!

This is a special Secret Technique that directly attacks the mind, able to bypass defenses and directly harm the Primordial Spirit.

Even a Martial Arts Grandmaster can’t evade it!

Her maid also held a soft armor, sword tip pointed directly at the throat, her sword speed was astonishingly fast.

The distance between them was less than one yard, close enough that the sudden attack was nearly unavoidable.